Texas Midfielders to Follow at ECNL Phoenix

<p>The ECNL Girls League hosts its first big national event in the 2026-2027 season this month, reuniting teams in the U16, U17 and U18/19 age groups in Phoenix, Arizona, from November 13-15.</p>   <p>The three-day tournament held at Reach 11 Sports Complex will feature as many as 204 teams from all over the country in a highly competitive environment.</p>   <p>The state of Texas will be represented by 27 teams, representing eight different clubs - [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283282' first='Challenge' last='SC'], [program_tooltip program_id='283311' first='Dallas' last='Texans'], [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'], [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'], [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='[program_tooltip program_id='278668' first='Lonestar' last='']' last='SC'], Solar SC and [program_tooltip program_id='283499' first='Sting' last='Dallas'] - across the three age groups.</p>   <p>We're taking the week to feature some of the best players of the Lone Star State who will be in action in Arizona soon, and midfielders are next in line:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Gautam and her Sting Black U16 team will play COSC, San Juan SC and LAFC So Cal on their trip to Arizona. An intense and talented player, she's the engine of their midfield, providing solid coverage to their backline and supporting the offense with great competence. Gautam does a lot of hard work when sitting in front of their defense, being very active and effective with her play off the ball. She also makes an impact in possession, helping her team move the ball in the center of the field and getting into the final third to finish chances with accurate shots.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/De-YmBQN172/ </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Fossler is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283397' first='Lonestar' last='SC'] ATX Red U16 that will be in Arizona and play South Carolina Surf, Eagles SC and Gretna Elite Academy. A talented and creative offensive player, she has great positional flexibility, being capable of playing as a wide midfielder on either side or more centrally. Fossle is very smooth and confident on the ball and makes the most of her dribbling skills to find her way past defenders, be it 1v1 out wide or in more crowded areas. She does a good job of creating chances and also contributes to finishing them, firing accurate shots from outside the box.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson and her [program_tooltip program_id='342634' first='FC' last='Westlake'] U17 side are scheduled to go against San Juan SC, United Futbol Academy and San Diego Surf during their time in Phoenix. A dominant defensive midfielder, she is incredibly hard to get by in the center of the field thanks to her impressive instincts and determination. Thompson also stands out on the ball, as she does an excellent job of quickly scanning the field, identifying the best passing option and moving the ball when in possession. That combination allows her to set up great transition plays with direct passes played from the center of the field right after dispossessing opponents.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">Puente is part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] U17 team that will test itself against Pateadores, Missouri Rush and South Carolina Surf. Mostly used as a center midfielder, she's a centerpiece in the team's playing system thanks to her quality on the ball and vision. Most of what [program_tooltip program_id='283317' first='[program_tooltip program_id='280767' first='DKSC' last='']' last=''] builds in possession goes through Puente and she stands out for her decision-making and her calm under pressure to get things done. She also delivers great production on the defensive side of the game, showing great effort to make plays in the center of the field and picking the right moments to step up and press higher.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROSDKsxlcyY </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cordova is part of the Solar RL U19 team that will get to play Utah Surf RL, Legends FC RL and Kansas Rush Gold RL in the showcase. Very technical and intelligent on the ball, she's a threat in the final third with her ability to beat opponents in tight spaces and find teammates in great spots. Cordova likes to play more centrally and does a great job of finding space between the lines to operate and set up plays, but can also be a threat out wide with her creative dribbling. She also thrives at following up plays and getting into the box to finish chances.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHxBsdAw8jo </div></figure>

The ECNL Girls League hosts its first big national event in the 2026-2027 season this month, reuniting teams in the U16, U17 and U18/19 age groups in Phoenix, Arizona, from November 13-15.

The three-day tournament held at Reach 11 Sports Complex will feature as many as 204 teams from all over the country in a highly competitive environment.

The state of Texas will be represented by 27 teams, representing eight different clubs - Albion Hurricanes FC , Challenge SC , Dallas Texans , FC Dallas , FC Westlake , Lonestar ' last='SC'], Solar SC and Sting Dallas - across the three age groups.

We're taking the week to feature some of the best players of the Lone Star State who will be in action in Arizona soon, and midfielders are next in line:

Sonu Gautam

TX #6

M #4

HEIGHT 5'5"

POS M

CLASS 2029

View Player

Sonu Gautam

State: Texas

School: Allen

Club: Sting Black ECNL

Gautam and her Sting Black U16 team will play COSC, San Juan SC and LAFC So Cal on their trip to Arizona. An intense and talented player, she's the engine of their midfield, providing solid coverage to their backline and supporting the offense with great competence. Gautam does a lot of hard work when sitting in front of their defense, being very active and effective with her play off the ball. She also makes an impact in possession, helping her team move the ball in the center of the field and getting into the final third to finish chances with accurate shots.

Highlights

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Kara Fossler

TX #WL

M/F #WL

HEIGHT 5'3"

POS M/F

CLASS 2029

View Player

Kara Fossler

State: Texas

School: Judson

Club: Lonestar SC

Fossler is part of the Lonestar SC ATX Red U16 that will be in Arizona and play South Carolina Surf, Eagles SC and Gretna Elite Academy. A talented and creative offensive player, she has great positional flexibility, being capable of playing as a wide midfielder on either side or more centrally. Fossle is very smooth and confident on the ball and makes the most of her dribbling skills to find her way past defenders, be it 1v1 out wide or in more crowded areas. She does a good job of creating chances and also contributes to finishing them, firing accurate shots from outside the box.